The Irish standard., 1887-07-16
A PILGRIMAGE TO l0uRDES.
A Californian Catholics Narrative Of
His Sacred Journey---The Grottc
Shrine and Church.
SEVERAL WONDERFUL CURES.
Votive Offerings and Decorations From
Afar---The Great Number
Of PILGRIMS.

Mr., I. Hallahan OF Oakland, Cal. re-
Gently returned home from Lourdes.
whittier he had made pilgrimage in
thanksgiving for his wonderful recov-
ering from an incurable disease. A
representative Of the San Francisco
Monitor called on him and had an ex-
tended interview, the greater part OF
which is here cited: II started on the
25th day of January of the present year.
No incident worthy Of note occurred
on the journey overland, Having
crossed the Atlantic. went to Liver
pool and thence by rail to London,
w,ere improved q limited time by in
specting all places Of historic note and
interest. l afterwards went to Paris,
where J. had the utmost difficulty to
make myself understood by the deni-
zens OF that wonderful city. In the
mode of living, Paris reminded me very
much of San francisco. / visited the
celebrated church of n otre Dame While
there. The interior decorations, altars
and paintings Of this magnificent
church are almost beyond description.
F'ronl Paris | went to Bordeaux, where
beh Id q thrilling sight. There is a
tower located near a church where, for
small coin, may be seen the preserved
bodies of over dozen neople who are
supposed to have died about 1000 years
ago. Having paid the triaing admis-
sion fee, | descended the tower to al
UNDERGROUND crypt, accompanied by a
female guide who carried a long stick,
to the end Of which was attached a
candle. The sensation on stepping
into the crypt and beholding dozen
mumu1ies of all sizes and shapes look
ing at you with various expressions OF
good will, astonishment and horror-is
calculated to curd!e the blood consider
ably. The bodies are ranged around
the crypt. One of the best preserved is
that of a priest dressed in the solemn
habiliments of his Office. ( only
stopped long enough to shake hands
with one of the venerable mnmmies
and left the dismal place. glad to re-
turn again to the world and sunlight.
From Bordeaux / went to Lonrdes.
The resident population is about 5000,
but there is floating population Of
fully 10000. 1T is delightful to make a
tour of the town. Everything seems
50 Catholic. On nearly every building
there is cross. I went to the Grotto
almost Immediately on arriving at
Lourdes, where number Of people
were Frustrated at the entrance to the
cave praying, witt, arms outstretched.
During my stay I met a bishop from
Texas, who had come for the benefit of
his health, and to enjoy Il short rest
from the cares Of his episcopal charge.
[ also met the Duke aud Countess of
Mecklenburg, and two distant relatives
Of st. Francis de Sales--ona Of whom
the Comte Eugene de Roussyle eSsales
--liyes at present in the castle where
St. Francis de Sales was born. The
;omte is a very old man. IIe served
mass almost every morning in the crypt
over the grotto.'
"Is it fact that the Duke of Neck !
enburg has returned to the Catholic
,hurch?''
Eye es; he received instructions every
morning from Father Dominick, and |
,he latter informed me that he was
about to become a Catholic as soon as
certain of his affairs at home were ad-
usted. The personal appearance Of
he duke is striking. He is fully six
eet in height, wears long military
and has q wonderfully hand
ome countenance. I also met and
lined with Michael Dayitt aud his es-
Unable wife at the Hotel de Solitude"
"Were you a witness Of any remark
bic cure while at Lourdes?'
Yes; I saw several. One young
ady-a cripple-was being carted to
he Grotto when the carriage broke
lown. Her father was lamentin@ the
ccitent, when she interrupted him by
skiing to be placed in the waters near
he Grotto. She stayed there about
wenty minutes, when she gave loud
cream. Ali present thought her dead;
nd were astonished a moment later to
ee her stand erect in the water--com-
letely cured of her ailment. Another
oung lady was cured of epileptic
ts.''
How are the miracles attested?''
s'The priests at Lourdes are very
areful about verifying or indorsing a
ure. When any one has recovered
rom his malady it is generally the rule
D have doctor to certify as to what
7as the nature, duration, symptoms
nd severity of the disease, and no.
ary public attests all the signatures.